Behramjee From Canada, joined Aug 2003, 4440 posts, RR: 43 Posted (9 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 1881 times:
From AIRBUS media website :
China Southern Airlines signed with Airbus a purchase agreement today in Guangzhou for 4 A330-200s, becoming the first customer of the aircraft in the Chinese mainland. Deliveries of the aircraft, powered by Trent 700 engines of Rolls Royce, will start in 2005. The A330-200 for the China Southern Airlines will comprise 276 seats.
“We will mainly put the A330-200s into operation on medium- and long-range routes, especially on new international routes that we plan to open. Our goal is to become an airline of prime choice by passengers,” said Liu Mingqi, Vice President of the China Southern Airlines group. “Introduction of the aircraft will offer our passengers a safe and comfortable in-flight experience. And we will also benefit from A330’s commonality with other members of the Airbus Family, which will help us reduce training and maintenance costs. "
Carnoc From China, joined Oct 2001, 875 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (9 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 1857 times:
Here is China Southern's Official Press Release which I received from their int'l public relations senior advisor:
GUANGZHOU, China - September 29, 2003 - China Southern Airlines (NYSE: ZNH) (HKSE: 1055), the largest airline in the People’s Republic of China today held a purchase signing ceremony to purchase four new Airbus A330-200 aircraft.
Beginning in 2005, four ultra-modern Airbus A330-200 aircraft will be added to the growing China Southern fleet – already the nation’s largest - and the airline will be the launch customer of this aircraft type in The People’s Republic of China. Terms of the agreement was not announced.
“The signing of the agreement today is an important event for both China Southern and Airbus,” said Mr. Liu Ming Qi, Executive Vice President, China Southern Air Holding Company and Vice Chairman, China Southern Airlines.
It has been six years since China Southern Airlines began operating its Airbus fleet of now 20 A320 aircraft and according to Mr. Liu, “we have overcome some initial challenges but are more and more familiar with and comfortable to be an Airbus customer. The quality, meticulous attention to detail and after-sales service offered by Airbus has renewed our confidence in moving forward in this important air transportation endeavor.”
Flying 253 passengers in a three-class cabin layout up to 6,650 nm/12,300km, the Airbus A330-200 aircraft is powered by General Electric CF6-80E, Pratt & Whitney PW4000 or Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines. The Airbus A330-200 aircraft has a maximum range of 12,000km.
In attendance at the Purchase Agreement Signing Ceremony was Mr. John Leaphy, Chief Commercial Officer, Airbus and officials from the Civil Aviation Administration of China and China’s National Development and Reform Commission.
In his statement, Mr. Liu said, “the young and state-of-the-art aircraft fleet has always been one of the important factors that motivate our customer to fly on China Southern Airlines. The A330 is one of the several well-received types of long-range and wide-body aircraft that our airline will operate and is part of our continued modernization and aviation leadership role in China.”
Mr. Liu said, “We are proud to be the launch customer of the Airbus A330-200 in China and the successful operator of the nation’s largest A320 fleet. The invaluable experience in the A320 operation will help us to be successful in the operation of the new A330.”
“’Having a new baby and making a big fortune’ are two of the most important events for the people of China. The four A330-200 aircraft will be four newborn babies in the China Southern Airlines’ family,” added Mr. Liu.
Behramjee From Canada, joined Aug 2003, 4440 posts, RR: 43 Reply 2, posted (9 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 1780 times:
They should use these new A 332s to open up new routes especially in the Middle East (Dubai, Cairo & Jeddah) & India (Mumbai). Also A 332s have the capability to fly PVG-Australia/Europe nonstop.
Behramjee From Canada, joined Aug 2003, 4440 posts, RR: 43 Reply 5, posted (9 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 1614 times:
Emirates too have B 777s and A 330s, so do THAI, Garuda, KOREAN, KLM!
Well see B 777 is a 300+ seater and can fly a longer range compared to A 332 which is 200+ seater and flies a few thousand KM less.
As for CZs fleet type being wierd, maybe its because it inherited some other Chinese airline's fleet type as they have in the past bought out a few local Chinese airlines and merged them into CZ.
N79969 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (9 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 1562 times:
I believe that the CAAC through the China National Aviation Supply Co is ultimately responsible for airplane acquistions for all airlines. I think the Chinese government works to ensure that the airlines patronize both Airbus and Boeing for political reasons. Hence China Southern operates both 738 and Airbus narrowbodies.
In any case, the A330-200 is a very good airplane. It is sized below the 777 but has the legs necessary for many typical 772ER routes.
AS739X From United States of America, joined Apr 2003, 5820 posts, RR: 23 Reply 7, posted (9 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 1547 times:
Does this mean we could possibly see CZ serve SFO with it? Its a thinner route then LAX, so perfect for a plane with less capacity.
ASSFO
"Some pilots avoid storm cells and some play connect the dots!"
Yyz717 From Canada, joined Sep 2001, 15989 posts, RR: 59 Reply 8, posted (9 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 1542 times:
I think the Chinese government works to ensure that the airlines patronize both Airbus and Boeing for political reasons. Hence China Southern operates both 738 and Airbus narrowbodies.
That's what I thought. Something about all orders are placed by the CAAC and allocated out. Whether China Southern has any say in what they get, I don't know. Perhaps an HKG spotter would know.....
Panam, TWA, Ansett, Eastern.......AC next? Might be good for Canada.
Gigneil From United States of America, joined Nov 2002, 16215 posts, RR: 88 Reply 9, posted (9 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 1500 times:
PVG-SFO is certainly doable for a Trent 772 powered A330-200, but I'd think they'd want a heavier aircraft on that route for cargo and whatnot.
Shenzhen From United States of America, joined Jun 2003, 1701 posts, RR: 2 Reply 11, posted (9 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 1403 times:
China Southern orignially had the A320s forced on them by the government, however they did chose to purchase the A330s this time around
9V-SVC From Singapore, joined Oct 2001, 1780 posts, RR: 11 Reply 12, posted (9 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 1374 times:
This is excellent news to me . As a big A330 fan , I am absolutely delighted that an airline from mainland china has finally purchased the A330. I hope they fly to Singapore
Shenzhen From United States of America, joined Jun 2003, 1701 posts, RR: 2 Reply 13, posted (9 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 1325 times:
N754
These are the same 4 airplanes that were anounced in April.
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